Ronald Marion Shaner peacefully went to his eternal home in Heaven on Saturday, Feb. 16 at his residence, Miller’s Merry Manor West in Wabash.

He was born to William Otto Shaner and Betty Sanders on Aug. 30, 1934.

He married Janet Marie Epeards on Sept. 4, 1954 in the Ray Street (now Southwest) Church of the Nazarene in Indianapolis. Ronald graduated from Westfield Academy High School in 1952; earned his AB in Religion in 1965 from Olivet Nazarene University, summa cum laude; and graduated with an MA in Church History from Butler University and Chirstian Theological Seminary in 1983. He was ordained as a Nazarene pastor and served as minister for three years in Rockton, Ill.; six years in Mattoon, Wis.; three years at First Church of the Nazarene in Milwaukee, Wis.; and his last 20 years at First Church of the Nazarene in Peru, where he retired in 1997. Along with his wife, Janet, he was a foster parent to 33 children over a twelve-year period. His favorite hobbies were playing basketball, anywhere and anytime; going to the YMCA; playing church softball; and jogging. He will always be remembered for his committed service and compassion for his church family; endlessly providing for his wife’s care; and his never-ending desire to play basketball.

He was pre-deceased by his wife, Janet, on Dec. 10, 2012; his father and mother; three brothers; one sister; and one grandchild, Trevor Shaner. He is survived by his five children, Garry (Deb) Shaner of Dewitt, Va., Sherry (Dave) Parmer of Edmond, Okla., Terri (James) Sprunger of Wabash, Jerry (Barb) Shaner of Galien, Mich., and Perry (Melissa) Shaner of Waterloo, Wis.; 15 grandchildren; and 10 great grandchildren.

Services were provided by Flowers-Leedy Funderal Home, Tuesday, Feb. 19. Joint services for Ron and Janet were held at Flowers-Leedy on Wednesday, Feb. 20 with Pastor Ken Goble officiating. A private entombment service was held at the Chapel of Remembrance, Memorial Lawns Cemetery, Wabash, for family following the service.

For those who wish to honor the memory of Ronald and Janet Shaner, memorial contributions may be made to ONU Foundation, Office of Development, Olivet Nazarene University, One University Avenue, Bourbonnais, IL 60914-2345 or National Parkinson Foundation, Gift Processing Center, PO Box 5018 Hagerstown, MD 21741-5018.